International Taekwondo Day, also called World Taekwondo Day or simply Taekwondo Day, is celebrated every year on September 4. The date marks September 4, 1994, when the International Olympic Committee, meeting in Paris, voted taekwondo onto the Olympic program for the 2000 Sydney Games. The World Taekwondo Federation made it an official day in 2006. Schools and federations mark it with demonstrations, open classes, competitions and ceremonies, and California and Canada have both recognized it officially.
| Date | September 4, every year |
|---|---|
| Also called | World Taekwondo Day, Taekwondo Day |
| Why September 4 | The IOC adopted taekwondo as an Olympic sport on September 4, 1994, in Paris |
| Established | 2006, by the World Taekwondo Federation |
| Official recognition | California (2021), Canada (2023) |
| ITF date | ITF groups mark their founding anniversary on March 22 |
History
Why Taekwondo Day is on September 4
On September 4, 1994, the 103rd session of the International Olympic Committee, held in Paris, voted to add taekwondo to the Olympic program. Taekwondo had been a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Games, and the vote made it a full medal sport from Sydney 2000 onward.
- 1994: the IOC adopts taekwondo as an Olympic sport on September 4.
- 2000: taekwondo makes its debut as a medal sport in Sydney.
- July 2006: the World Taekwondo Federation, now World Taekwondo, establishes Taekwondo Day on September 4.
- September 4, 2006: the first proclamation ceremony is held at Olympic Park in Seoul.
- 2021: California becomes the first U.S. state to name September 4 as Taekwondo Day.
- 2023: Canada designates a national Taekwondo Day on September 4.
For the full Olympic story, see Olympic taekwondo, and for how the art began, see the history of taekwondo.
Celebrations
How Taekwondo Day is celebrated
There is no single official program. World Taekwondo, national federations and individual schools each organize their own events, usually on or around September 4.
- Ceremonies: World Taekwondo and national federations hold official ceremonies and events.
- Demonstrations: demo teams perform forms, self-defense and breaking in public spaces. See the Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration Team.
- Open classes: many schools offer free trial classes or bring-a-friend days to introduce new students.
- Competitions: some clubs and federations hold friendly tournaments or poomsae events.
- In Korea: events are held at venues including Taekwondowon, the national taekwondo park in Muju.
At your school
Ideas for celebrating Taekwondo Day
- Host an open class or bring-a-friend day for families and friends.
- Run a mini demonstration with forms, step sparring and a few board breaks.
- Hold a kick-a-thon or poomsae-a-thon to raise money for a local charity.
- Teach a short session on taekwondo’s history, the Korean flag and the tenets of taekwondo.
- Share photos and videos from class with the date in the caption.
- Practice at home if you cannot get to class. See how to practice taekwondo at home.
ITF
Is there an ITF Taekwon-Do Day?
September 4 is tied to World Taekwondo and the Olympics, so it is mainly celebrated by Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo schools. ITF organizations instead mark the founding of the International Taekwon-Do Federation by General Choi Hong Hi on March 22, 1966, with anniversary events each year. Many schools of both styles simply join in on both dates. For the difference between the two, see taekwondo styles.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is International Taekwondo Day?
September 4, every year.
Why is Taekwondo Day on September 4?
On September 4, 1994, the International Olympic Committee voted in Paris to make taekwondo an Olympic sport, starting with the 2000 Sydney Games.
Who created Taekwondo Day?
The World Taekwondo Federation, now called World Taekwondo, established Taekwondo Day in 2006 and held the first ceremony at Olympic Park in Seoul on September 4 that year.
Is World Taekwondo Day the same as International Taekwondo Day?
Yes. Both names refer to the same day, September 4.
Is Taekwondo Day an official holiday?
It is not a public holiday, but it has been officially recognized by the state of California since 2021 and by Canada since 2023.
The short version
International Taekwondo Day is September 4, the day in 1994 when the IOC voted taekwondo into the Olympics. World Taekwondo created the day in 2006, and schools mark it with demonstrations, open classes and ceremonies. ITF groups celebrate their own founding anniversary on March 22.